George Willard Bunnell OBITUARY

BUNNELL, GEORGE WILLARD, known as GW, which his grandchildren swore stood for Grandpa Willard, was born on Feb. 24, 1912 in Thief River Falls, MN. During his 99 Years, he was blessed with two marriages. He was married to Florence M. Bunnell, deceased, and Nellie R. Bunnell of Stockbridge, GA. He is survived by two sons, Gordon W. Bunnell of Fletcher, NC and Robert L. Bunnell of Eustis, FL. His five grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren and numerous great-great-grandchildren were his pride and joy. His family moved to the Orlando area in 1921, where Bunnell Groves and Packing House along with Citrus Grove Care Taking were founded. His work on the machinery needed to run the grove led to his future career. Otis Elevator hired him in 1941 as a service mechanic for the Orlando area. During WWII he was the only elevator mechanic in Florida. He was the mechanic in charge at Cape Canaveral during 1956 and worked on the Twin Towers during one of the union strikes in New York. In 1975 he retired as the District Maintenance Supervisor after 31 years of service. After retirement he spent his summers in “God’s country” known as Cashiers, NC, where he helped build houses and other handyman chores well into his 80s. His sense of humor and memory were legendary to all who knew him. His grandchildren were the benefactors of that humor he told them all he was born in 1492 and that he painted the fall leaves every year just for them. On January 30, 2012, just short of the 100th Birthday Party he was so looking forward to he peacefully joined his Lord and Savior. Memorial Services will be conducted at 2 PM, Saturday, Feb. 4, at the First United Methodist Church of Stockbridge with Rev. Jody Ray and Rev. Bill Yates officiating. The family will receive friends at the church from 1:15, until time of the services. Interment will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery in Orlando, FL at a later date and time. Horis A.

Ward-Fairview Chapel.